Shine In the Media

Check out what's going on and get stuck in!

New research from Amnesty International shows one in three Kiwi women experience harassment online. Jill Proudfoot from Shine says 'social media websites need to take more responsibility to quash online abuse.’

The Misery of Marie08-Nov-2017 | Shine News

“The death of Marie was absolutely preventable,” says Jane Drumm, of domestic abuse charity Shine...
'Why didn’t someone join the dots between a history of abuse and violence, police callouts, Child Youth and Family alerts? Why did Corrections fail to detect Marie was living with Hohua while on home detention? And why did Judge Bidois let Hohua out on bail, twice?.. '
Read NZ Herald article

American basketball star shares her story of hope30-Oct-2017 | Shine News

American basketball star and domestic violence survivor Ruthie Bolton today shared her life story - and showed some rising Kiwi players some new tricks - at an event in Auckland Saturday put on by Shine at Tamaki College.

David McLean: NZ workplaces can do more to address family violence & NZHerald Focus video interview with Shine’s Holly Carrington about the DVFREE Tick03-Oct-2017 | Shine News

‘Although it is an issue that doesn't only affect women, for a business like ours, which employs more than 2700 women, family violence is a real and serious issue for a number of our staff…We collaborated with domestic violence support charity Shine to ensure our approach followed best practice and have now been formally recognised as New Zealand's first Domestic Violence Free (DVFREE) employer with the DVFREE Tick.’

'..Rebecca and those like her get punished for their partners' behaviour — unfairly. Shine aims to help bosses and colleagues notice and help domestic abuse victims, through a new programme called the DVFree Tick…On Tuesday, Westpac became the first DVFree certified business.’

Westpac leads way on family violence03-Oct-2017 | Shine News

‘Domestic violence is a workplace issue and bosses should care what happens to staff outside work, says Westpac chief executive David McLean. Westpac is the first organisation to earn a DVFREE Tick - an accreditation that recognises the bank's comprehensive domestic violence programme.’

Calls for New Zealand doctors to screen patients for domestic violence05-Sep-2017 | In The Media

Despite strong recommendations from the World Health Organisation for doctors to respond to family violence, in New Zealand there is no nationwide mandate for GPs to do so, and some GPs are resistant.
Shine's Holly Carrington says, "They may feel like it's not their job, or that they're intruding on people's personal lives. But if you're caring for someone's health, what is more important than making sure they're not being beaten up and abused?"

Moko inquest: Who knew of abuse?31-Aug-2017 | In The Media

A statement from Shine was read out to the inquest, as Shine had supported Moko’s mum: "The only people to blame are those that killed Moko but that doesn't mean processes can't be improved... There needs to be a better understanding of violence and trauma and what it does to families.."

A report is showing that a third of Kiwi kids are still smacked by their parents. The report also showed a third of mothers used smacking as a form of punishment and one in 10 parents said they frequently smacked their children. Shine client services manager Jill Proudfoot said a small smack as a form of discipline could often lead to more intense violence. "There's a continuum of violence that starts with a little smack and escalates. If they continue defying you then you have to hit harder and harder and do more serious things to control them."

She said physical discipline was strongly entrenched in New Zealand culture and while the change in legislation had helped, more resourcing was needed to support families towards better parenting practices.

Problem Gambling and Family Violence19-May-2017 | In The Media

A recent study surveying nearly 450 problem gamblers found that half were victims of physical, psychological, emotional or sexual abuse in the past year, and slightly less than half (committed violence or abuse in the past year. Shine was one of the family violence organisations that provided advice to the research team.

Shine spokeswoman Holly Carrington says it was great to hear
more businesses were "taking ownership" of the issue and hoped other
businesses would follow. Ms Carrington says it will also be important to
develop the policy to make it more effective, including training and raising
awareness for staff. Shine supports employers to take these critical steps with
the DVFREE programme.

Not everyone is a fan of the latest All Blacks ad04-Apr-2017 | Shine News

New Zealand Rugby is defending a new advertisement featuring the All Blacks after an anti-violence charity called it
“excessively violent”. Shine’s general manager, Jane Drumm, said the ad made her feel “really uncomfortable watching huge All Blacks tackling smaller Japanese people and throwing them forcefully to the ground”.

Jane Drumm: The rise in domestic violence reporting15-Mar-2017 | In The Media

Shine's General Manager Jane Drumm has 35 years’ experience working with Shine and previously as a Probation officer. She says that family violence reporting is increasing, but also argues that violence in general is on the rise.

Survivor speaks out for Light It Orange06-Mar-2017 | Shine News

He threatened to strangle her, stalked her, broke into her home, would text death threats to her, shoved furniture into her, dragged her through the house and spat on her. The woman, who didn't want to be identified, told 1 NEWS she finally wanted to speak out.

Westpac's Partnership with Shine02-Mar-2017 | In The Media

Westpac has partnered with Shine to create an online education module that businesses can access to raise awareness with their employees about domestic violence in the workplace.
Gina Dellabarca, GM of
HR at Westpac joins Ali Mau on RadioLive to talk about Westpac's work in this area and how
Shine can help other businesses.

Angela Bloomfield directs advert for Light It Orange13-Feb-2017 | In The Media

Woman’s Day feature: Former Shortie star of 24 years recently took on the role of directing Shine’s TV advert for Light It Orange. The experience of working for Shine, she says, has been a refreshing change and an overwhelmingly positive project – but it’s sobering too.

Jan Logie's bill will allow victims of domestic violence in employment to take paid leave if needed. The bill will most likely come up for a vote on March 8th - please contact your MP now to urge their support for this bill, find out how here: www.parliament.nz/…/get-involved/have-your-say/contact-an-mp

A number of Australian states have put this into state law and research there shows only .02% of employees are using this leave provision. But for that .02%, this leave may make a major difference in helping them to remain employed while going through a crisis.

Social Media apps and the increase in protection order breaches27-Jan-2017 | Shine News

An increase in protection order breaches on
social media is proving a challenge for family violence agencies, police and
courts. Jill Proudfoot from Shine said she knew of one case where a man
photographed himself with a gun and sent a Snapchat to a woman, threatening to
kill her.

Westpac NZ helps tackle domestic violence25-Jan-2017 | Shine News

In December, Westpac NZ, in partnership with Shine, New Zealand’s largest non-profit organisation that helps people who’ve suffered from domestic abuse, launched an online education portal that businesses can use to raise awareness of the issue with their employees.

The UK passed a law in Dec 2015 making coercive control punishable by imprisonment. Shine's General Manager Jane Drumm says, 'Coercive control doesn't go on holiday, it doesn't stop for Christmas Day.'

Over five years ago, Kate began ringing Shine's Helpline and eventually she left her abusive husband of 15 years to stay in Shine's refuge over the Christmas holidays. "He was very, very controlling ... It always felt like we were walking on eggshells, I was so afraid but I got used to it, it became a way of life for me. It started with psychological and emotional abuse and once he had reduced me to a point where I was so feeble and weak - then he started with the physical abuse."

"Kate wanted other victims of abuse to know that whatever their story - they could get out, there was help and support available and all they had to do was ask."

Calls to Shine's Helpline have already started to surge as it gets closer to the festive season. Family violence spikes over December and January every year.
Victims are not only women, but statistics show that women and children are the most harmed in family harm situations. A Shine advocate said, "Everyone that engages with our advocates expresses their relief at finally finding someone who understands and their happiness at what support we are able to provide them. They are extremely happy that they finally got around to making the call.

Family violence: 'It's possible I would have killed my Mrs'13-Dec-2016 | Shine News

Alex started attending Shine's stopping violence programme over 10 years ago. In recent years he has volunteered on Shine fundraising campaigns and gotten active with the It's Not OK campaign. He tells some of his story in this Herald article.

Family violence: 'Just pick up the phone, we could save your life'13-Dec-2016 | Shine News

Prasad works at Shine's crisis line, responding to calls for help from people experiencing family harm and abuse in one way or another...Prasad's advice for anyone struggling over the holidays - women experiencing abuse or fear, men worried about their behaviour or anyone else who had concerns about a family member, friend or neighbour - was simple.

"Pick up the phone. We can change someone's life forever," she urged.

"Pick up the phone and talk to us, we will work with you, we can help.... We will listen. We will meet you where you are at, where you are comfortable.

This White Ribbon Day, Shine joins the Human Rights Commission to encourage employers to address family violence - one of NZ’s biggest human right issues. Today the HRC released this first video in a series, featuring Holly Carrington from Shine and organisations which have implemented family violence policy.

“Shine has assisted employers for many years to create workplaces that are safe and supportive for victims of domestic abuse through DVFREE, which recommends creation of a policy as a starting point. DVFREE also helps employers raise awareness amongst staff and provides training for key staff so they know how to support employees who disclose abuse safely and effectively,” Westpac and The University of Auckland stand out as two DVFREE partners who have gone beyond introducing a policy to ensure that staff know more about the issue and how to access support.

Abuse has many faces for women23-Nov-2016 | Shine News

When women come to Shine for help after a physical assault, it’s often revealed that they’ve also been psychologically abused for years, says Jill Proudfoot.

Jill is client services manager at Shine, the charity which has made it its mission to stop domestic abuse in New Zealand. She says psychological abuse encompasses all the strategies used by a person who wants to control someone else, make sure they can’t exert their own free will, and create fear and anxiety about what might happen next.

It can take the form of threats, intimidation, constant texting to see where the person is, monitoring email activity, checking finances and online presence. Isolating a person by cutting them off from their friends, or spreading rumours about them, such as saying they have mental health issues, is also common.

You don’t deserve this22-Nov-2016 | Shine News

Irka Omoboni-Soulat, who has worked for Shine, helping victims of domestic violence, for 11 years, reckons women often reach a turning point when she connects with them.
For the first time, they feel they’re being heard and believed, Ms Omoboni-Soulat says. Once they reach that point, they often need her expert knowledge and networks, and also simply her ‘‘fresh eyes’’.
‘‘Sometimes women get stuck because they’ve come to see the abusive behaviour as normal,’’ she says. ‘‘They often think they’re going crazy – they’ve been told that so many times, and their partners are experts at mind games. ‘‘We can be their reality check and say, ‘You are not crazy, that is not normal, you don’t deserve this’.’’

Daughters speak of abused mum17-Nov-2016 | Shine News

Katrina Drummond was trapped. She didn't want to stay with her ex-husband Martin Cranswick Schofield. But he had put money into her house when she couldn't afford to keep it, and now leaving him would mean leaving her home. She was stuck, and Schofield knew it.

Survivor advocate Louise Nicholas says she was "gutted" by Paul Henry's latest comments about women and would be happy to give him some "education" about sexism.
She said the TV3 breakfast host's comments to Herald writer Greg Bruce about the "perfect titties" of a woman at a nearby table during an interview for Canvas magazine were "disgusting".
"I've done a number of interviews with Paul Henry around sexual violence and he's been extremely good and knowledgeable, and that's why it's so disappointing that he has gone so far as to say that about women," Nicholas said.
She did not agree with commentator Brian Edwards that the Canvas interview should be "career-ending" for Henry, but she said he clearly needed more education.

Kristin Dunne is trying to make a difference by helping prevent domestic violence.27-Oct-2016 | In The Media

YOUR words are my
words.”
It is this phrase
that Kristin Dunne
and Lesley Elliott hope will help
women suffering domestic
abuse.
The pair met following the
tragic case of Elliott's daughter,
Sophie.
It is a case well known. The
22-year-old was murdered in her
own bedroom by an ex-boyfriend
she had just ended a five-month
relationship with.
The relationship had been
punctuated with what are now
known as the signs of typical
partner abuse.
It was after Sophie's death
that Dunne, now Tourism Bay of
Plenty's chief executive, and
Sophie's mother, Lesley Elliott,
began corresponding.

Hammer assault: Auckland husband who beat wife was allowed to walk free03-Oct-2016 | In The Media

An Auckland man who beat his wife with a hammer because she complained they weren't holding hands while watching a movie together was allowed to walk free from court.

Judge Philippa Cunningham ruled the consequences of convictions for Yasir Mohib, who pleaded guilty to three violence charges, were out of proportion to the gravity of the offending and discharged him without conviction.

Changes to family violence laws14-Sep-2016 | Shine News

Belinda Henley talks to Shine's Holly Carrington about the Prime Minister's announcement of an overhaul of NZ family violence law. More than 50 changes will be made as part of a new drive by the Government to cut the high rate of offending. The changes include more support for victims and the creation of new offences.

Family Violence: Huge numbers of protection order breaches 'tip of iceberg'15-Aug-2016 | In The Media

More than 12,000 Kiwis have repeatedly breached court orders to stay away from their victims, and one person has been convicted for doing so 14 times.

Ministry of Justice figures released to the Herald paint a disturbing picture of family violence in New Zealand, showing 12,157 people have been convicted for 20,864 protection order breaches in the 11 years to December 31, 2015.

A protection order is a court-imposed sanction to keep an offender away from their victims, and those at the front line believe the data is the tip of the iceberg as victims are too scared to report the crimes.

Jill Proudfoot, Client Services Director for Shine, says there are over 200 ethnic groups who have come through their services, and she agrees that there are multiple layers of issues around cases of violence against children.
Take a look at this documentary where Sonia Sly investigates the causes and triggers behind abusive behaviour towards children, its connection with domestic violence, and the role that women play in child abuse.

NZ Fashion stars work together to raise awareness of family abuse10-Jun-2016 | Shine News

After being deeply affected by the recent death of Moko Rangitoheriheri, a collection of NZ’s biggest fashion designers have joined forces with social change-makers Angela Bevan and Adam Bryce to launch La La La magazine – a one-off fundraiser initiative for Shine, a leading NZ specialist domestic abuse service provider.

Shine speaks out about Moko's mother01-Jun-2016 | Shine News

Last night we brought you the story of Moko's mother Nicola Dally-Paki. Moko Rangitoheriri is the young boy who was tortured and killed by two people who were supposed to be looking after him. Ms Dally-Paki was at Starship Hospital caring for her other son at the time. The story raised many questions about how her situation has been handled. Online and social media feedback has been extraordinary and there were good questions but for legal reasons, not all can be answered. But one organisation has decided to speak out. Like Child Youth and Family, Shine deals with family abuse cases but it's conclusions about Moko's mother were very different to CYF's. Story went to find out why.

Tauranga to take stand against child abuse27-May-2016 | Shine News

Tauranga
is joining the nationwide march against child abuse this weekend. 'March for Moko' will be held in Papamoa on Sunday afternoon, with all those
wanting to stand against child abuse invited to attend. The 'I will march for
Moko' campaign was started by a group of like-minded mothers around New
Zealand, sparked by the violence which killed 3-year-old Moko Rangitoheriri. Click here to read more at nzherald.co.nz.

Margaret hadn't cooked his tea, she hadn't done the dishes and she hadn't wiped down the bench. "I was just so, so tired. I lay on the bed with my filthy, dirty cowshed clothes on and went to sleep."
Bill came in at 11pm and saw the mess. Margaret had never, ever left the kitchen like that before. "He came down to the bedroom and he belted the s--- out of me." Click here to read more on stuff.co.nz

New Zealand has the worst rate of family and intimate-partner violence in the world. Eighty per cent of incidents go unreported — so what we know of family violence in our community is barely the tip of the iceberg. Today is part six of We’re Better Than This, a week-long series on family violence. Click here to read more at nzherald.co.nz.

Family violence: 24 hours on the front line12-May-2016 | Shine News

Anna Leask spent time with police, Shine and in the Family Violence Court in Auckland City speaking to those tasked with responding to family violence on the front line, to give readers a ground-level insight into what is happening behind the doors of far too many New Zealand homes. Click here to read more at nzherald.co.nz.

Family violence: 'He held a chainsaw to my neck"12-May-2016 | Shine News

Today we are telling the story of real victims. Some of this content may be confronting and upsetting. It took her 10 years to leave him. Ten years of being hit, kicked, choked, strangled. Ten years of hiding the abuse from the outside world. But the night he almost killed her, that was the night she left. It was her son's seventh birthday. Click here to read more at nzherald.co.nz.

The turning point: An abuser's story12-May-2016 | Shine News

For the past 10 years Aaron Steedman has co-ordinated Shine's stopping violence programme for men and works with people from all walks of life.

He knows first hand about perpetrators because he was one. While arguing with his partner many years ago, he strangled her. Now he is committed to helping other men change their behaviour. Click here to read more at nzherald.co.nz.

Jane Drumm speaks about provocation defense02-May-2016 | Shine News

A Porirua woman was sentenced to home detention for manslaughter after hitting back at her abusive partner. Shine executive director Jane Drumm says in these cases, people are usually victims of extreme violence, and the law then re-victimises them.

Domestic violence doesn't know postcodes23-Mar-2016 | Shine News

Shines Jill Proudfoot and Mary McGee talk about working for Shine and dealing with domestic violence on a daily basis. Tackling the enormous problem of domestic violence can start with a simple word of encouragement, Mary McGee says. "Don't give up hope," she tells those caught in the grip of abuse. Don't give up believing that you can be safe. You deserve better than this."

Shine's former client 'Jessica' has just spoken about her experience of domestic abuse.10-Mar-2016 | Shine News

One of Shine's former clients 'Jessica' has just spoken about her experience of domestic abuse to Mark Sainsbury on RadioLive. Her story makes it clear that domestic abuse can happen to anyone and shows why it can be so hard to leave an abusive partner. To listen to the story click here.

Stop asking victims to protect themselves26-Feb-2016 | Shine News

In its fifth report, the independent Family Violence Death Review Committee called for radical changes to how government and non-government organisations respond to family violence in order to reduce abuse and deaths. Thirty percent of New Zealand women experience physical violence at some point in their lives - the highest rate of all 14 reporting OECD countries. Shine's Jill Proudfoot says it "beggars belief" that some victims were still being told to keep themselves safe.

Rosealee Wells talks about Shine and what it's like working in the refuge11-Dec-2015 | Shine News

Rosealee Wells works for Shine in our North Shore refuge. She has a postgraduate degree in Psychology and has worked as a Youth Worker in both the North Shore and South Auckland, in this interview she talks about her daily life working for Shine and her passion for helping others.

Shine's Holly Carrington comments on the laws around victims of family violence who kill their abusers. She said "None of them want to commit murder, none. The only reason they do is they see no other way."

Shine's Holly Carrington talks about why there are more people registering as victims of abuse through Work and Income. She touches on how it might be a positive thing in helping victims get out of violent relationships when they are dependent on their partners income.

Shine's executive director Jane Drumm said she was stunned the list of vitcims was not longer, because domestic abuse was a fast road to the benefit queue. "This is a very small proportion, because our experience here is that domestic abuse is a real quick way to poverty for a lot of people."

Another 'crime of ownership'?01-Oct-2015 | Shine News

The murder of 22-year-old Parmita Rani in Auckland prompted a High Court judge this week to condemn the attitude of men who claim "ownership" over their partners. We ask again: when will this country say enough's enough?

Shine spokeswoman Jill Proudfoot said she had mixed feelings about Brown coming to New Zealand. "He is coming to this country where we've got a really serious domestic violence problem. People, whether he likes it or not, see him as a role model. We don't want that kind of role model here," she said.

Ms Proudfoot believed people could change and men with domestic violence convictions should not be repeatedly punished if they had taken genuine steps to make amends. "Change is possible. But no, I don't think he should be allowed in - unless he has made genuine reparation and changed his behaviour."

A new pilot programme will soon see judges making bail decisions automatically receive a new report on defendants’ family violence history, Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced. From September 1, the trial will see Judges in Porirua and Christchurch receive a Family Violence Summary report which details all recorded family violence incidents involving each defendant. It includes police safety orders or protection orders, as well as any breaches of these. Interviewed on Radio NZ's "Checkpoint," Shine’s Jane Drumm said that New Zealand has the worst record of domestic violence among OECD countries but this is a significant step forward.

The Ministry of Justice recently released a breakthrough discussion document presenting a wide range of ideas in order to better ‘keep victims of family violence safe and hold perpetrators to account’. Some of the ideas in the discussion document are:

• Establishing a set of stand-alone family violence offences which will help Government track family violence cases in the courts
• Creating an additional pathway for victims and perpetrators who want help, but are not yet involved in the criminal justice system
• Updating the legal definition of domestic violence, with one idea to more clearly explain the concept of "coercive control"
• Requiring Police to arrest for all breaches of protection orders, where there is sufficient evidence
• Establishing funding for applications for protection orders so victims to not have to pay to keep themselves safe
• Clarifying when information about family violence cases needs to be shared so privacy laws are not a barrier to safety
• Repeat family violence offending taken into account during sentencing
• More prominence to victim safety in related legislation such as the Care of Children Act and bail and sentencing law We commend the Ministry and Minister Amy Adams for such a forward thinking document and we strongly support the proposals that put a stronger legislative focus on safety for victims.

Because these statistics are just shocking:

* New Zealand has the highest reported rate of intimate partner violence in the developed world
* 41 per cent of police response time is spent on domestic violence. In 2014 they responded to 100,000 incidents
* Every five minutes, one notification for family violence is made to Police

We believe that New Zealand absolutely needs to shift towards adults and children having the right to safety, over and above an offender’s right to natural justice or access to their children.

We also support legislative changes to clarify that safety trumps privacy in guiding decisions about sharing information on cases involving domestic abuse.

Jane Drumm, Shine’s Executive Director says,

“We totally support the proposal that the police make an arrest whenever there is evidence of a Protection Order breach. We also support the proposal for repeat and serious family violence offending to be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing. There need to be changes in the law as well as policies of police, courts and other agencies that recognise that family violence is a pattern of coercive control.

In my nearly 18 years working in this sector, I have never seen anything like this document. It is heartening that it contains such a raft of important proposed changes, and more importantly that these changes are being led by 16 Government Ministers in a whole of government approach on this issue. These and other proposals in the document would give a very strong message that society does not tolerate domestic abuse.”

Self-defence plea review 'overdue'20-Jul-2015 | Shine News

|Radio New Zealand| "Some situations have arisen that have been profoundly unjust on the person who committed the homicide because she had come to the stage that she was so terrified that she couldn't see another option," says Jill Proudfoot, Shine's Client Services Director.

Advocates for battered women say a Law Commission review of whether victims of family violence who kill their abusive partners should be able to claim self-defence is long-overdue. The commission is also considering whether a judge should impose a lesser penalty if an abused person is still convicted of murder.

|3 News| Organisations against family violence are concerned at New Zealand's rising rates of reported cases and say all of society must pitch in to combat the problem.

Police investigated 101,981 instances of domestic violence in 2014, according to statistics released today by the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse (NZFVC), a figure up from 95,080 instances reported the year before.

"It's a bit upsetting to see [the figures] still going up, but if reporting's going up that's probably a good thing – we want more reporting but it's no surprise to us, put it that way, in terms of the overall number of investigations," says Women's Refuge chief executive Dr Ang Jury.

"This is actually an all-of-society, an all-of-community issue. This is very much a shared responsibility. "We'll do our bit, police can do their bit, courts can do their bit – everyone else has got to chime in as well," she says.

The figures showed that 37 percent of the instances led to an offence being recorded.

Holly Carrington, a spokesperson for Shine, a charity helping victims of domestic abuse, says despite the higher rate of investigations, family violence is not necessarily on the rise.

"There is really no way to know if prevalence is actually increasing as so much of the problem is still hidden. There is far more demand for our services than we are able to meet, so again, it is hard to tell whether that actually translates into an increase in prevalence."

She agrees with Ms Jury that family violence is shared responsibility.

"We need as many people as possible – in Government, government agencies, the health sector, schools, and throughout the community – to recognise just how serious the problem is and be willing to get involved and be part of the solution."

The data also showed the resolution rate in 2014 had decreased from previous years, meaning fewer investigations led to someone being apprehended over an alleged crime.

In 2014, 82 percent of 7163 recorded male assaults female offences were resolved, a decrease from 93 percent in 2008.

There was also a decrease in the resolution rate of people breaching protection orders; last year 83 percent of the 6103 recorded offences were resolved, down from 90 percent in 2008.

Family violence occurring in high socio-economic households in New Zealand is the theme of a recent collaborative project between 'It's Not OK' and the glossy, Home Magazine. TV3's new late-night news show ‘Newsworthy’ talked to Shine Client Services Director Jill Proudfoot Home Magazine editor Jeremy Hansen to shed more light on the issue. Watch the 11 June episode here.

Thanks
to Baxter International Foundation, Shine can now respond better and faster to hospital patients who screen positive for domestic abuse. Baxter is funding a new hospital-based Domestic Violence Social Worker role within Shine beginning this month, for two years. The new Domestic Violence Social Worker will be based at National Women’s Health, Auckland City Hospital and boosts the longstanding partnership between Shine and Auckland District Health Board (ADHB).

Bikers unite against family violence14-Apr-2015 | Shine News

Leathered men on Harley Davidsons isn't how you would usually describe charity supporters.

Thanks to kids charity "Shine", Auckland's motorbike community is out in full-force.

Grant Brett of Shine says,“If I can help in any way, help children basically become better people without violence in their own homes as they grow up later on in life then I think I've achieved something.”

Domestic abuse helpline: 'If one person phones, telling my story will be worth it'30-Mar-2015 | In The Media

Sitting next to her partner in a crowded bar, Katherine Kennard focused her attention on the TV screen.

It was always the safest option.

Except on this night, when another man innocently stood between her and the TV - and her partner saw him.

"That was a bad night," the former Nothing Trivial actress said as she spoke publicly for the first time about the four years she was trapped in an abusive relationship.

Kennard is a familiar face on TV screens after playing the scheming ex-wife of Nothing Trivial lead character Mac and for her roles on Underbelly, Spartacus and Street Legal.

Now she has starred in a short film for national domestic abuse charity Shine. The film was shown at the organisation's 25th birthday celebration last night, at which June Steenkamp, the mother of Reeva Steenkamp - killed by partner Oscar Pistorius - spoke.

June Steenkamp: 'It's something that I have to do'23-Mar-2015 | In The Media

June Steenkamp says work with domestic abuse prevention networks will create a legacy in honour of her daughter Reeva. Reeva was 29 when she was killed by her boyfriend, South African olympian Oscar Pistorius on Valentine's Day, 2013. Now, Mrs Steenkamp hopes sharing what her daughter went through will help other women speak up, or ask questions of their friends and family to try to prevent domestic violence.

Steenkamp Story to be told in NZ24-Feb-2015 | In The Media

Her daughter was shot dead on Valentine’s Day 2013 by one of the world’s most famous athletes.

Now June Steenkamp - the mother of Reeva Steenkamp - is coming to New Zealand to share her experience of the effects of domestic violence.

Mrs Steenkamp is the primary guest speaker at a black tie dinner in Auckland to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Shine, New Zealand’s largest domestic abuse prevention service registered as a charitable trust.

Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp’s boyfriend of three months, was found guilty of killing her in the Johannesburg apartment they shared.

Reeva’s mother June sat silently through Pistorius’ trial following which he was convicted of culpable homicide, effectively manslaughter under New Zealand law.

He was sentenced to a maximum five years in prison with the possibility of serving the rest under correctional supervision after 10 months*.

Mrs Steenkamp has since written a book – Reeva: A mother’s Story – and is active in addressing the global scourge that is domestic violence.

Shine’s The Light at the End of the Tunnel black tie dinner on 28 March at the Heritage Auckland Hotel is the only public speaking engagement in New Zealand by Mrs Steenkamp.

Domestic violence is truly a global issue and June Steenkamp’s book does not hold back when it comes to pointing the finger squarely at Pistorius for his alleged violent behaviour.

It’s acknowledged that South Africa is a violent country. But New Zealand figures show we too have our dark side, mostly hidden away in the privacy of family homes.

Every six minutes our police attend a domestic abuse incident (2014 statistics). And new provisional figures released to Radio New Zealand show the country's rate of reported family violence has changed little in the past 12 months.

One in three women is physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Every five weeks a NZ child is killed by a member of his or her own family.

Shine says there needs to be more action in battling domestic violence and it is working hard to ensure we have safer homes in New Zealand every day.

The fundraiser celebrating 25 years of Shine is being hosted by radio personality and writer Kerre McIvor and includes a three-course dinner and a glass of bubbly, beer and wine.

There’s also live entertainment, thought-provoking guests speakers including June Steenkamp, and a charity auction.

June Steenkamp is originally from Blackburn, Lancashire, and moved to Cape Town with her first husband. She married Barry Steenkamp in the summer of 1983 and gave birth to Reeva, her 'late lamb' a year later. Reeva, the couple’s only child together, came as a surprise, when June was in her late 30s. June is a warm and humorous grandmother, and loves her squabbling dogs. She is deeply religious. “We’re just ordinary people. We’ve had an ordinary life, a lovely life with the horses and the animals we love, and we’ve got lovely friends.” In 2014 she published her book Reeva: A mother’s Story about her daughter’s death and the subsequent trial of Oscar Pistorius.

The cost of domestic violence22-Feb-2015 | In The Media

Radio NZ

Philippa Tolley looks at whether progress is being made on dealing with New Zealand's shocking domestic violence statistics. Shine’s Jill Proudfoot and Liz Flaherty are interviewed extensively about Shine safe@home.

At Shine we help anyone who is living with the fear of violence or abuse in their home. Many people who are being treated badly feel as though they are doing something to deserve the abuse. This is never true. Nobody deserves to be called names, insulted, humiliated, kept away from family and friends, controlled, hurt or frightened.

There is a direct relationship between domestic abuse and child abuse. Children who live in a home where there is fear are always affected by it. When you are ready, Shine can help you to take steps to keep yourself and your children safe and secure.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are afraid for your safety right now, call 111. If you would like to talk to someone about your fears or concerns, phone our Free Helpline at 0508 744 633.

25 November 2014, Radio Live

Andrew Patterson talks to Aaron Steedman, Coordinator for Shine's No Excuses - a men's stopping violence programme who help men from all walks of life to look at their lives and pull back from being abusive.

SKYCITY’s Sky Tower in Auckland will be lit up in white on Monday evening Nov 25th at 10pm, on the eve of White Ribbon Day. The anti-domestic violence network SAFTINET (Safer Auckland Families Through Intervention Network) and the White Ribbon Campaign are behind this initiative to call attention to the message that violence against women is unacceptable.

GP urges screen for family violence: It's not as hard as you think03-Nov-2014 | In The Media

5 November 2014, NZ Doctor
Auckland

GP Gabrielle Moss, comments on the need for more screening of family violence in general practice and explains how staff at Orakei Health Services have incorporated family violence screening into routine general practice. Staff have been trained to ask screening questions and make a referral to appropriate expert services such as Shine.

12 September 2014

Scoop
In the wake of the Oscar Pistorius trial, it is vital for the public to understand some facts about domestic abuse. Perpetrators will often keep the violence private so that the public, and even close friends and family, will often believe that he is nothing but charming.

Fall in family violence charges alarms groups06-Jul-2014 | In The Media

8 July 2014, NZ Herald

Shine's Executive Director Jane Drumm said prosecutions had also dropped because of new prosecution guidelines issued by the Crown Law Office in 2010, and updated in 2013, which "raised the bar" of evidence required for prosecutions.
The new guidelines encouraged prosecutors to make "plea arrangements" with defence lawyers where "releasing the saved costs in court and judicial time, prosecution costs and legal aid resources [could] be better deployed in other areas".

New family violence measures 'a validation for victims'30-Jun-2014 | In The Media

2 July 2014, Voxy

The Ministry of Justice announced a package of new Government initiatives aimed at addressing family violence.
"I am more than delighted with everything on the list. They are practical and are a giant leap forward in the way our criminal justice system responds to domestic abuse in this country," says Jane Drumm, Shine’s Executive Director.
Jane also gave this message in an interview on Prime News (Sky News).

“This is by no means an easy job, with the volunteers having to face very sensitive situations head on. Shine’s volunteers get a chance to make a real difference in the lives of people affected by domestic violence.”